Key to their success has been the form of strikers Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney, Chicharito and Danny Welbeck, a quartet which has been compared in depth and goalscoring threat to the combination of Andy Cole, Dwight Yorke, Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 14 years ago.

"When you look at those lads up front, if they can each get to the 20 mark, we will really be in business," Sir Alex told reporters.

"The options we've got now all round the park, if we can keep everyone fit, are as good as I've had in my time here."

United face Southampton in the Premier League on Wednesday and resume their Champions League campaign with the first leg of their first knockout round tie against Real Madrid on February 13.

On Sunday they were drawn to face Reading at Old Trafford in the only all-Premier League tie of the last 16 of the FA Cup.